How to Tell When a Teen Is Abusing Cough and Cold Medication

Abusing cough and cold medication is an increasingly popular and extremely dangerous problem among teens who often take large doses of over-the-counter medications that contain dextromethorphan. These medications are abused by teens partially because they are so inexpensive and easily accessed, which makes preventing abuse even more difficult. It's important to know how to tell when a teen may be participating in this activity so you can help your child stop.

Instructions

1. Monitor how much cough and cold medication you keep in your home so that you can tell if any has gone missing. You may want to consider keeping a lock on your medicine cabinet so that you can control the amount of medication that is available to your children. Avoid storing excess amounts of cough and cold medicine in your home and only purchase new bottles and containers when someone in your household is sick.

2. Search your teen's room for hidden stashes of cough and cold medication. In most cases, your teen should not have cough and cold medication in his possession without your knowledge. Also, look for any other tablets or pills that you do not recognize, as dextreomethorphan is sometimes sold on the street in other forms than over-the-counter medications.

3. Look for warning signs in your child's behavior and appearance that may suggest cough and cold medication abuse, which can be used to tell if your teen is abusing dextreomethorphan. Regular side effects include dizziness, drowsiness and confusion. Physical symptoms may include sweatiness, reddening of the face, excessively dry skin and slurred speech, as well as numbness in the hands and feet.

4. Keep a close watch on the websites that your teen visits while using the Internet. Dextreomethorphan is sold widely available on the Internet in a variety of both illegal and legal forms, so it's important to know if your teen is ordering these products. Ask your teen's teachers about how closely internet use is monitored at school to be sure your teen is not ordering these medications when outside your home.

5. Talk to your teen about the dangers of abusing cough and cold medication so that you can be confident she is aware of the risks involved. Some children incorrectly believe rumors that taking large amounts of cough and cold medication is not dangerous due to the fact that it is sold over the counter and can be purchased so easily at most stores.

Tips & Warnings

• Dextromethorphan is commonly referred to as "DXM" or "DM," but teens may also use the slang terms "skittles," "red devils," "dex" and "robo." Abuse of cough and cold medication is sometimes called "robotripping" in reference to Robitussin, a popular cough medication among teens.